A Demon Does It Better (29 page)

No empty bottles of catnip wine littering the floor. No cat yowling to Celine Dion.

“That’s the wrong page,” she could hear Cleo in the family room.

Lili dropped her bags and ran. Then skidded to a stop when she saw the duo seated on her couch.

“Wha—?” She couldn’t believe her eyes. And couldn’t control the smile that stretched her face.

Jared looked up from his spot on her couch. Her laptop was on her coffee table, and a glass of wine sat nearby. Cleo was perched next to him, staring intently at the monitor.

“More LOLCats,” she ordered, pointing her paw at the screen.

He looked up at Lili and smiled. “Hi. Did you have a nice night out? Do you think I should set up a Facebook page?”

“How?” Lili couldn’t wrap her mind around the idea that Jared was here.

“The usual way.” He stood up, ignoring Cleo’s growls of protest at being pushed to one side. He walked over and took his witch into his arms. He crushed her against him, picking her up off her feet. “Sweetheart, even the depths of Hades wouldn’t keep me away from you.” He buried his face against her hair, inhaling the rich scent of her perfume mixed with her skin.

“They put a lock on your door. I couldn’t get in there,” she muttered against his shirt front. “It was so heavily warded that I couldn’t even talk to you. And now they’ll tell Dr. Mortimer. For all I know, he’ll fire me. Not that I care, but I can’t leave you down there. We have to find a way.”

“After you learn what happened to your friend.” He kept his arms around her and walked them both toward her bedroom. “How come you’re late?” He punctuated each word with a kiss.

“Deisphe and I went out to dinner, then did some shopping.” She kissed him back, needing all the contact she could get.

“Anything good?” He finished walking when the back of her knees hit the edge of the bed.

“Some lingerie that will cross your eyes, shoes that make my legs look like a million bucks, clothes, and makeup to finish my gorgeous self.” She couldn’t stop smiling.

Jared combed his fingers through the dark curls. “You’re already gorgeous.” His breath hitched in his chest as he stared down at her upturned face. He had no clue how he became so lucky as to find such a woman who had so much warmth in her heart that she could see beyond his exterior to what he was inside. And want him despite his crimes.

“I can’t get to the next page!” Cleo yelled from the family room. “Help! Help! Help!” Her yowl raised in pitch.

“I’ll take care of that.” Without taking her eyes off Jared’s face, Lili flicked her fingers at the door that slammed shut and locked with an audible click.

“Hey! Not fair!”

“I like your style, witch.” Jared leaned over so far that Lili landed on the bed with him following. “I can’t wait,” he rumbled, tearing at her clothes, breaking open the zipper, sending buttons flying. Lili didn’t seem to care, since she was busy dissolving his clothes with her magick. “I want you.” He breathed into her ear as he ran his palm down her belly, into her center, to find her already wet and receptive. “Need you.” He angled his hips and thrust forward, groaning at the moist heat that welcomed him even as she curled her legs around his hips, tilting her hips upward for more intense friction. As she did, she reached down and trailed her nails over his cock as he slammed into her.

Jared uttered curses in his language before covering Lili’s mouth with his, his tongue mimicking what his body was doing. He could smell her arousal like a fragrant perfume, feel the silk of her skin as he slid over her, and her taste was an addiction he would never get over. Each time he was with her just fed his craving for more.

Lili had healed his spirit.

He dipped his head and gathered her nipple into his mouth, rolling the hard nub with his tongue and pulling gently. The faint salty taste of her skin fed his hunger.

“Jared.” She moaned his name, frantically touching him everywhere she could.

He felt her power flow over him like a series of electric shocks that only spurred him on. His sac tightened to the point of pain, and he increased the tempo, pulling her up against him and before he knew it, he spilled himself in her while his breath seemed to leave his body.

It took all of his control not to collapse on top of her. Instead he managed to roll to one side, bringing her with him. Lili purred as she looped a leg over his hips and snuggled up against him. She rested her cheek against his chest and sketched idle words on his skin. He grinned and grabbed her hand.

“Is that position even legal in this state?” he teased.

“I won’t tell if you won’t.” She propped herself up on her elbows and looked into his face. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she confessed, drawing a line across his jaw.

“I am too.” He sat up, pulling her with him until her back was settled against his chest. “The word love isn’t in our language,” he said slowly, trailing his fingertips down her arm and back up. “We have no concept of the emotion or what it means. Relationships are nothing more than sex for recreation or to procreate, nothing more. There’s no such thing as hugging or being together the way we are now.” He kissed her temple as he felt her body stiffen a bit. “But with you, I want that and more. I want it all.” He took a deep breath. “I love you, Lili. I love you so much that I want to give you the world, except I have nothing to give you.”

“No!” She rolled over, bracing herself on his chest. “What I mean is, you have a lot to give. You have yourself. I love you so much, Jared, and I’m going to get you out of there,” she vowed with a ferocity he didn’t doubt. “And then I’m turning Turtifo and Coing into slimy toads.”

But he also knew that while her intentions were true, Dr. Mortimer wasn’t going to release him all that easily. He had no idea whether his mother was still among the living or if she’d moved onto the plane of death. He was positive his clan could care less about him. He’d have no home to return to, but that was all right. The idea of making a home with Lili was appealing. He knew there had to be something he could do. It wouldn’t matter, as long as he was free and with Lili.

For now, it was nothing more than a dream, but who knew? Maybe this dream could come true.

Content with Lili in his arms, Jared closed his eyes and felt sleep take over.

***

She
ran
down
the
twisting
narrow
hall, almost tripping on her nightgown. The thin fabric offered little protection against the chilly air and the stone walls that scraped her bare arms. Sobs of fear escaped her throat as she stumbled, feeling the rough surface of the floor abrade her feet.

“This is wrong!” she cried, falling against the wall again. She choked against the reek of dark magick that permeated the air. She pushed away from the damp stones and made her way toward her destination, even though her mind couldn’t decide what it was. She only knew she had to keep on going.

He needs me. Only I can save him.
The
words
raced
through
her
mind.

The
farther
she
walked
down
the
hall, the stronger the magick grew, until she had to fight even to lift one foot in front of the other. She used her fingers to swipe the tears from her cheeks and almost screamed to find the tips red.
Her tears were blood-tinged!

She
had
to
keep
going,
no
matter
what. Find him. Save him. Her stomach started to cramp, causing her to double over, but she refused to turn around. She was a healer. She refused to leave anyone in pain.

She
skidded
to
a
stop
when
the
door
she
sought
suddenly
appeared
in
front
of
her, its surface shining dark purple with a strong shadowy power that left a metallic taste in her mouth.

While
she
was
reluctant
even
to
touch
the
door’s surface, the screams from inside the room compelled her to pull it open.

The
scent
of
blood
was
strong, and more magick filled the air. But what caught her attention was the male chained to the far wall. He was naked with blood streaking his skin. His head hung down, and his chest heaved in and out as he struggled to breathe. A counter along one wall was covered with burners and various beakers bubbling away.

“No!” She started to move forward, but something kept her in place.

“Ah, my dear, I see you’ve arrived.” The sorcerer who faced her wore a stained lab coat and looked like a mad scientist straight out of an old black-and-white movie.

Wait a minute.

She
looked
at
her
surroundings
and
realized
it
was
just
that. There was no color in the room, only shades of black, gray, and dirty white.

“Let him go!” she ordered.

Her
tormentor
smiled
at
her
as
if
she
was
nothing
more
than
a
child. “I can’t do that. Just as you have no power here.” His eyes lingered on her shoulder but not in a lascivious way.

She
looked
down, stunned to see a raised mark on her skin. The brand was a familiar one. The same as on the demon manacled to the wall. One that declared to the world she was insane and was to be avoided at all cost.

“This is wrong,” she insisted.

“No, my dear, it’s not.” The sorcerer took her by the arm and led her over to a long table. “I am so pleased you have come to me, so I did not have to have someone bring you.” He pulled out a pocket watch and studied the time before tucking it back in his pocket. With a sudden show of strength, he pushed her onto the table and quickly attached shackles to her wrists. She cried out and tried to pull away, but it was already too late.

“The blood of a demon is very strong, filled with so much power,” the sorcerer told her in a conversational tone. “Ah, but the blood of a witch mixed with a demon.” He kissed his fingertips as if he just complimented a chef for a gourmet meal. “I tried before to add that very special touch, but sadly, her blood wasn’t strong enough. Now you, you have the power I require.” He headed for the counter and rummaged among the instruments set on a tray.

Her
breath
caught
in
her
throat
as
she
realized
his
intent. Then she looked at her lover, saw the sorrow in his eyes and the white lines of pain tightening his mouth. She rattled her chains to no avail.

I love you.
She
mouthed
the
words, refusing to allow their tormenter to hear her admission.

His
lips
lifted
in
the
briefest
of
smiles
that
disappeared
as
the
sorcerer
approached
him
with
a
large
vial
containing
charcoal
powder and an equally large needle that he promptly plunged into the demon’s chest. He threw back his head, screaming with pain that she couldn’t help but echo.